NASA Northeast descended on New Jersey Motorsports Park’s Thunderbolt circuit August 16–17, 2025, for a weekend of intense wheel-to-wheel racing. The event showcased some of the most competitive fields in the region, particularly within the Super Touring 4 and Super Touring 5 classes. The weekend was marked by close battles, strategic tire management, and a special crossover race that brought all the classes together.
Saturday’s qualifying sessions set the stage for tight racing. In ST5, Alex Krochik took the pole in his Scion, a familiar position for him this season. However, the grid was packed with challengers.
Saturday Super Touring 5
The ST5 race on Saturday was a classic example of horsepower versus handling. Although Krochik started from the pole, he fell to third at the start. George Menabde, who began in third, quickly moved up, but the lead belonged to Kyle Turns. Menabde spent the majority of the race chasing Turns, saying he was “chasing Kyle the whole time.”
The two drivers were separated by about a half-second for most of the race. Menabde explained that the heat of the day took its toll on Turns’ Maxxis tires, allowing him to make a decisive move for the lead. “He just went a little bit wide,” Menabde said. “I passed him, and that was it.” Besik Menabde ultimately took the win in his copper-colored BMW 330ci.
Krochik, meanwhile, was held up by a slower car for more than 20 minutes. Despite having the pace to keep up with the leaders, he couldn’t find a way past the car, which had a significant straight-line speed advantage. This traffic battle allowed Menabde to pull away and secure the win, with Krochik finishing third. On Sunday, however, it was Krochik’s turn to shine.
Alexander Krochik won the Super Touring 5 race in his Scion FR-S. After starting fourth, he executed a strategic race, understanding that his competitors on Maxxis tires would be faster early on but would fade as the race progressed. “My objective is just to hang with them. I should be able to get ahead of everyone (later),” he said. This strategy paid off, and he took the lead and the win. Menabde, exhausted after a full weekend of racing on the same set of tires, finished second.
Saturday Super Touring 4
Jose Suero, in his 2005 Honda S2000, won the race, completing 13 laps. He was followed closely by Mason Bursac in a 2004 BMW M3, who finished just 1.645 seconds behind. Phil Albertson came in third, six seconds behind the leader. Suero noted the challenge of competing with less power.
“They usually suck me in on the start of the race,” he explained. “Then I have to fight with them and as soon I build the gap, then it’s good.” Bursac actually ran the fastest lap of the race, but couldn’t overcome the deficit.
Sunday HFGT Race
On Sunday, many of the ST drivers participated in the special HFGT crossover race. This race brought together various classes and provided a unique challenge for the drivers. The event served as a fundraiser and a test of skill.
Mason Bursac was the winner of the HFGT race in his BMW M3. He completed 17 laps. Peter Cipollini, a rookie ST5 driver who finished fourth in Sunday’s ST5 race, said, “I never passed so many cars in a single race. It was just so much fun.” Jose Suero, however, had an unfortunate end to his HFGT race, clipping wheels with Bursac, which resulted in a flat tire and an early exit.
NASA Northeast ST5: A Growing Community
The weekend wasn’t just about the race results. It also was a testament to the growth of the ST5 class in NASA Northeast. As Menabde proudly stated, the class has grown from just two racers in August of last year to 12 at this event. Many of the new drivers, including Krochik and Cipollini, were recruited by Menabde himself. He has worked tirelessly to promote the class, highlighting its affordability and competitiveness. “I was always [saying], ‘ST5 is the way to go. Tires are cheaper, consumables are cheaper,'” he said.
Rookie Peter Cipollini, who started racing this year, exemplified the spirit of the class. He admitted to not paying attention to points, focusing instead on learning how to navigate traffic. “It’s a lot more fun starting from the back,” he said. “I have more of an opportunity to learn how to kind of read other drivers and where I can overtake.”
The camaraderie was also evident in the post-race discussion. Krochik thanked Menabde for his efforts, calling him an “unofficial ambassador” for the class. The growth of the ST5 class in the Northeast is so significant that Krochik speculated it may be the largest of NASA regions.
The weekend at NJMP proved that the Super Touring classes in the NASA Northeast region are thriving. The close battles and tight competition promise an exciting finish to the season. With drivers like Jose Suero in ST4 and the dedicated group in ST5, the racing is bound to get even more intense as the championship hunt heats up.
